Welcome to The Cay response to literature weblog. In this post I will answer some questions that you may have about this type of discussion forum. If your question is not answered here please send me an email at mtorello@hcsd.k12.ca.us.
I invite the sixth grade English students, their families, Crocker faculty, and other community members to join us in our blogging discussion. This is an exciting opportunity to share the experience of reading a novel, responding to discussion questions, viewing the entries of other readers, and even commenting on others responses.
When do we begin reading and responding to The Cay?
In early February, the students will participate in a prereading blog prior to starting the novel; they will also begin to read and respond to discussion questions. The conclusion of the blog has yet to be determined.
Who is the administrator of the Crocker The Cay blog site?
I, Mary Torello, a sixth grade English teacher at Crocker Middle School, am the administrator of this blog discussion. Troy Hager, the Crocker technology teacher, is assisting with content of the blog.
How will the students know what pages to read in The Cay?
There are a couple ways to find out the reading assigned for the day. First, students can check the blog to learn what pages to read and respond to the questions. The second way is to find out in class from the teacher.
How will students access the blog?
A blog can be posted from any computer with internet access. Students are able to use school computers in the classroom, lab, and library. They will typically have one to two days to respond to discussion questions.
What discussion questions will be included with the project?
Every day there will be different discussion questions posted on the blog. Students will add their responses to the questions through posting a comment on the blog entry. Readers will be able to read each others responses and can discuss the questions through the use of comments.
Is posting comments on the blog safe for students?
Anyone who has the web address to the blog can view it and its contents. Only our English students, their families, and Crocker faculty have access to comment on this blog. Each student that posts must use his/her first name only. Students will learn how to sign in and post a comment during class. Any comment that contains a last name, inappropriate language, or a large number of errors will be removed or edited by an administrator.
Why read The Cay?
The Cay is a required Core novel for sixth grade students. The genre is realistic fiction. World War II and the Caribbean provide the setting for the story. The students will meet Phillip and Timothy; the two main characters who develop a unique friendship through unusual circumstances. The novel touches on several important themes including friendship, judgments, and self-reliance. It is well-written and highly engaging.
Why blog for school?
The blog is a collaborative tool for learning. Blogs provide a different forum for communicating ideas; they go one step outside the classroom discussion and beyond written responses on paper that only the teacher can access. “Through the unique process of blogging, students are able to read more critically, think about the reading more analytically, and write more clearly.” From Will Richardson, Blogs, Wikis, and Podcasts, 2006.
If you have any questions about this blog that were not answered above or you would like to join us please send us an e-mail at mtorello@hcsd.k12.ca.us. If you have any positive or constructive feedback, please feel free to contact me.
Mary Torello
4 comments:
Dr.Martin luther king jr. was an african American man who grew up in a racial area, his dream was to promote peace and end racial distress. Dr. Martin luther Kings dream came true but there is still much racial acts going on around the world
Dr. Martin Luther king jr. was an african american man who grew up in a hard, busy, and very racial community. Martin Luther King jr. had a dream of peace and to end racial activities. He had a dream that was made famous by the "I have a dream speech". Did his dream come true? well to some people it did but others think other wise. To me his dream came partly true because there is still racisim going on around the world.
1) Philips feelings about war in the first chapter were that war was fun and exiting and also dramatic kind of like in movies. In the second chapter Philips feelings about war changed dramatically because he had to sleep down stairs and use black out curtains, but that was only some of the things that had to be done to stay safe in the violant times that they were going through.
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2) philips dad is optimistic about philip and his mother leaving the island at first but fest up to it because the mom wanted to because of safety reasons. Philip did not want to leave at first but after a while of seeing the condition of the island he wanted to go to.
sorry mrs. torello about my blog coming in to parts!!
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